| Vegan Health News | May 11 2005 |
Pregnant women urged to avoid some fish
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Women are being warned to avoid eating certain types of fish during pregnancy because of concerns about mercury levels.
A recent survey carried out by the New South Wales Food Authority suggests that thousands of pregnant women either stop eating fish or dramatically cut their consumption, because of concerns about the effect of mercury levels on their baby's central nervous system.
Fisheries Minister Ian Macdonald says women should limit their intake of only some sorts of fish, including shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy and deep sea perch.
He says all other species are safe.
"Educational wallet cards will be available through doctor's offices, midwives, dietitians, and fish outlets across the state - this will give women the proper facts to choose," he said.
Reference: ABC Australia ABC Newsonline.
Editor's Note: If mercury effects the central nervous system, why not warn everyone to avoid eating "certain types of fish"? And is some fish have high mercury levels, why would we assume that other fish do not have significant mercury levels? Sounds like another good reason to adopt a Vegan diet!
